Rosebud Fair, looking back

It's almost time.

In less than 1 month, 

I'll be headed back to Rosebud Reservation

for the Annual Wacipi (Pow Wow) and Fair.

It's one of my favorite events of the year.

Nothing matches it for color, movement, sounds 

and a glimpse into 

a segment of our country that we rarely see.

 Am I the only one who thinks this little one looks like a Kardashian?

These two dancers have long been some of my favorites -

I'm sure they have wonderful names;

but in my head when I see them 

they're  Screamin Eagle and Pine cone Man

OK, so not everyone is happy to be photographed.

When I asked his mom if it was OK to take his picture, she laughed and said "Good luck",

 so I'm not taking it personally.

One of our partner families through Habitat for Humanity;

photo by a wonderful photographer who lives on the reservation, Kernit Grimshaw.

Grannies with purses,

pretty much the same in every culture!

Getting excited!

Land of Enchantment

Santa Fe:

the most un-American looking American city I've ever seen.

Just one of the reasons I love it.

 So much to draw me there.

 So much to keep me here.

Will have to reconcile myself to living a divided life

and find the right balance.

There are worse ways to live.

Another trip to Santa Fe

What can I say?

This could get to be a habit.

This time, since I was driving, also included stops in Kansas,

to stay at a restored Railroad Hotel,

to see the worlds largest Czech egg (in Wilson, KS)

and to see other delights.

 Then a quick jaunt up to Lucas, KS

to see the Garden of Eden;

a fabulous art environment, 

built by visionary SP Dinsmore. 

All the structures are concrete,

including the house, which is made to look like a log cabin.

Spiritual and political images and references abound.

Can you imagine what the neighbors thought?

I think Dinsmore and I might have been BFF's in another time.

 

The sign at the Garden of Eden saying

Do Not Enter

Exit Only 

cracks me up every time I look at it!

 He built a mausoleum on the grounds 

in which he and his wife are buried.

He thought the turkey should be the country's 'bird' rather than the eagle -

and made his preference known.

I regret that my timing was off.

I was there early in the morning -

and shooting right into the sun for many of the pictures.

Next time, I'll get there late in the afternoon or early evening 

and have the sun behind me.

Lesson learned.

And, yes, here will be a next time.

BTW, 

Lucas also has one of the greatest public restrooms in the country.

 Shaped like a toilet, 

complete with a roll of paper.

and fabulous mosaics inside.

In both the men's room

and the women's

 Go on, I dare you to find a classier public restroom.

Don't ever think Kansas is all cornfields and highways.

You just have to know where to look for its riches.

But Santa Fe beckoned, so it was back on the road.

More to come.